Vanda plant named SPCDW1502

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Vanda  cultivar named ‘SPCDW1502’ which is characterized by large, prominent sepals and petals with a unique dark blue to purple color, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2015/0385, filed Feb. 17, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Vanda Jones ex R. Br.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Vanda disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘SPCDW1502’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Vanda variety ‘SPCDW1502’ is the result of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as a seedling from the crossing of the unpatented, proprietary seed parent Vanda ‘T915’ with the unpatented, proprietary pollen parent Vanda ‘370MK’. Both parents were developed by, and are owned by, the inventor and were never commercially released. The crossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand in February of 2003.

The new variety was first selected in June of 2006, in a research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand belonging to the inventor. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘SPCDW1502’, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1502’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in September of 2010 at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra, Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to the public. Through six subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW1502’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SPCDW1502’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SPCDW1502’ as a new and distinct Vanda cultivar:

1. Vanda ‘SPCDW1502’ exhibits a unique dark blue to purple sepal and petal color; and

2. Vanda ‘SPCDW1502’ exhibits large, prominent sepals and petals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘SPCDW1502’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 years old from the time of mericloning, shown planted in an 8 by 8 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘SPCDW1502’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of ‘SPCDW1502’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of ‘SPCDW1502’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in January of 2016 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of six year-old ‘SPCDW1502’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Temperatures were approximately 23 degrees Celsius during the day and 19 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given to the plants. No artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SPCDW1502’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘SPCDW1502’ and comparisons with other varieties of Vanda are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single             monopodial leafy stem, with flowers carried slightly above             the leaf plane, inflorescences grow from the leaf axils.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to foliar plane.—31.8 cm.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to top of floral plane.—34.6 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Average of 41.4 cm.         -   Appropriate container size.—8 cm by 2 cm rectangular hanging             basket.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.         -   Propagation type.—Tissue culture propagation using the base             of the leaves.         -   Propagation details.—The time needed from for the start of a             mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is             approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of             about 26 degrees Celsius. After that period, plants have             matured roots. Plants start to make roots in the last 6             months in flasks. After deflasking they remain in a shaded             and controlled environment.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Similar to             other Vanda varieties.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11             and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high             tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Densely rooting; with aerial roots only.         -   Dimensions, mature roots.—53.3 cm long with a diameter of             0.35 cm, on average.         -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.         -   Color.—Greyed-Green, near RHS 192C; root apex is             yellow-green, RHS 148A. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial; no lateral branches present.         -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—One.         -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.         -   Appearance and shape.—Circular, formed by the leaf sheaths.         -   Length.—14.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—0.4 cm.         -   Luster.—Matte.         -   Aspect.—Near vertical.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, near RHS 145D.         -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, near RHS 145D.         -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, near RHS 145D.         -   Pubescence.—Glabrous. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 25 leaves per plant.         -   Dimensions.—22.4 cm long and 2.9 cm wide, on average.         -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate; moderately to strongly carinate.         -   Aspect.—Slightly to moderately curved.         -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Sheath dimensions.—3.0 cm long and 1.2 cm wide, on average.         -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, in between RHS 144B.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and very slightly glossy.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and very slightly glossy.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, near RHS             143B, and darker towards the margins, in between 141B and             143A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Green, near RHS             143A to 143B. Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Green to             yellow-green, in between RHS 143A and 146A, yet slightly             darker. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Green to             yellow-green, in between RHS 143B and 146B.         -   Venation.—Parallel.         -   Venation color, adaxial surface.—Green to yellow-green, in             between RHS 143A and 146A, yet slightly darker.         -   Venation color, abaxial surface.—Green, RHS 143B to 143C.         -   Petiole.—No petioles present, leaves sessile. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.         -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 8; 7 open flowers and             1 bud.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 21.8 cm (measured from             base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 19.6 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 31.0 cm long and 0.6 cm             wide. Aspect — Generally at a 25 degree angle to lateral             branch axis; ranging from 20 degrees to 30 degrees to             lateral branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture             and luster — Glabrous and moderately glossy. Color — Green,             RHS 143B. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Average of 1.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average horizontal diameter is 1.3 cm; the             vertical diameter is 1.6 mm.         -   Shape.—Cubic, with a deltoid apex which is pointed downward.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and             moderately glossy.         -   Color.—Yellow-green, near RHS 145A to 145B, and very             strongly tinged greyed-purple, near RHS N187A. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for             the genus Vanda.         -   Flowering habit.—Moderate.         -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and             three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum.         -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward-facing to slightly nodding.         -   Vertical height.—Approximately 8.9 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 8.9 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 3.2 cm.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Lastingness.—3 weeks, on average.         -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — 3 unfused petals; two             conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One             lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 4.6 cm.             Width — Approximately 4.1 cm. Shape — Broad ovate to near             orbicular. Apex — Obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire;             moderately undulate. Pubescence, texture and luster of upper             surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte. Pubescence, texture             and luster of lower surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte.             Color when opening, upper surface — Violet-blue, near RHS             90C; veined violet, RHS 85A. Color when opening, lower             surface — Violet-blue, near RHS 90B; veined violet, RHS 85A.             Color when fully opened, upper surface — Violet, in between             RHS 86C and N88B. Color when fully opened, lower surface —             Violet, near N88C. Fading, upper surface — Not fading.             Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation — Reticulate.             Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — Violet, in             between RHS 86A and N88A; closest to 86A. Venation color,             fully opened, lower surface — Violet, in between RHS 86A and             N88A; slightly closer to N88A.         -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed, lateral lobes involute,             central lobe strongly revolute. Length — Central lobe —             Approximately 2.1 cm. Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.9 cm.             Width — Central lobe — Approximately 1.1 cm. Lateral lobes —             Approximately 0.8 cm. Apex, central lobe — Emarginate. Apex,             lateral lobes — Obtuse. Base, central and lateral lobes —             Cuneate. Margin, central lobe — Entire; slightly undulate.             Margin, lateral lobes — Entire; not undulate. Texture and             luster of upper surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety,             and matte. Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.             Texture and luster of lower surface — Central lobe —             Glabrous, velvety, and matte; moderately glossy at the apex.             Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Color when             opening, upper surface — Central lobe — Violet-blue, near             RHS N92A; base is slightly lighter, violet to violet-blue,             in between RHS 83A and N92A. Lateral lobes — Purple, near             RHS N77D; apex is darker, near N77B. Color when opening,             lower surface — Central lobe — Violet to violet-blue, in             between RHS 83A and N92A, and fading towards the base, near             RHS N88D. Lateral lobes — Purple-violet, near RHS N82C; apex             is darker, near RHS N82A. Color when fully opened, upper             surface — Central lobe — Violet-blue, near RHS N92A; base is             slightly lighter, violet to violet-blue, in between RHS 83A             and N92A Lateral lobes — Violet, near RHS 86D. Color when             fully opened, lower surface — Central lobe — Violet, near             RHS 86C, and lighter towards the base, near RHS N87C to             N87D; apex is violet-blue, near RHS N92A. Lateral lobes —             Violet RHS N88C; apex is violet, near RHS N87B. Fading,             upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not             fading. Venation — Reticulate. Venation color, fully opened,             upper surface — Central lobe — Violet-blue, near RHS N92A;             base is slightly lighter, violet to violet-blue, in between             RHS 83A and N92A. Lateral lobes — Violet, near RHS 86D.             Venation color, fully opened, lower surface — Central lobe —             Violet, near RHS 86C, and lighter towards the base, near RHS             N87C to N87D; apex is violet-blue, near RHS N92A. Lateral             lobes — Violet RHS N88C; apex is violet, near RHS N87B.         -   Callosities.—Dimensions — 1.4 cm long and 0.7 cm wide, on             average. Color — Violet, near RHS N87A.         -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1. Length — Approximalely             0.5 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.6 cm. Vertical height —             Approximately 0.5 cm, at the base. Shape — Short triangular.             Apex — Bluntly acute. Base — Broad Cuneate. Pubescence,             texture and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and matte. Color —             Violet, near RHS 85D, and striped darker, near N87C to N87D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement             — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal             sepal — Approximately 4.9 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately             5.2 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 4.7 cm. Lateral             sepals — Approximately 5.8 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Broad             ovate. Lateral sepals — Reniform. Apex, dorsal and lateral             sepals — Obtuse. Base, dorsal and lateral sepals — Cuneate.             Margin, dorsal and lateral sepals — Entire; all sepals are             slightly to moderately undulate. Pubescence, texture and             luster — Glabrous, velvety, and matte on both the upper and             lower sepal surfaces. Color when opening, upper surface —             Dorsal sepal — Violet-blue, near RHS 90C; veined violet RHS             85A. Lateral sepals — Greyed-purple, near N187B, and tinged             violet-blue, near RHS 90C; veined violet RHS 85A. Color when             opening, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Violet-blue, near             RHS 90A to 90B. Lateral sepals — Violet to violet-blue, in             between N88B and 90B. Color when fully opened, upper surface             — Dorsal sepal — Violet, in between 86C and N88B. Lateral             sepals — Violet, in between 86C and N88B. Color when fully             opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Violet, near N88C.             Lateral sepals — Violet, near N88C. Fading, upper surface —             The color of all sepals does not fade. Fading, lower surface             — The color of all sepals does not fade. Venation —             Reticulate. Venation color, fully opened, upper surface —             Both dorsal and lateral sepals are violet, in between RHS             86A and N88A; slightly closer to RHS 86A. Venation color,             fully opened, lower surface — Both dorsal and lateral sepals             are violet, in between RHS 86A and N88A; slightly closer to             RHS N88A.         -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 5.7 cm, Diameter —             Approximately 0.4 cm. Angle — Approximately 80 degree angle             to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderate. Texture — Glabrous,             axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially twisted (due to             resupination). Luster — Glossy. Color — Violet, near RHS 83B             to 83D; tinged violet-purple, near RHS N82C, at the proximal             end.         -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each             pedicel. Shape — Broad ovate to reniform; folded around the             base of each pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 0.9 cm long             and 1.1 cm wide. Apex — Broad acute. Base — Broad Cuneate.             Margins — Entire. Color, both surfaces — Yellow-green, near             RHS 151B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.5 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.7 cm. Color — Violet, in between RHS 83S and             83C.         -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior Diameter — Approximately 1.1 cm.             Color — Purple-violet N181A.         -   Pollinia color.—Yellow-orange RHS 22A. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to     date. -   Comparisons with the parent plants: Plants of the new cultivar     ‘SPCDW1502’ are similar to the seed parent, Vanda ‘T915’, in most     horticultural characteristics. However ‘SPCDW1502’ differs from the     seed parent in the following characteristics: 1. ‘SPCDW1502’     exhibits a larger plant size compared to ‘T915’. 2. The flowers of     ‘SPCDW1502’ are larger than the flowers of ‘T915’. 3. The flower     color of ‘SPCDW1502’ is lighter blue compared to the flower color of     ‘T915’. 4. ‘SPCDW1502’ exhibits a slower growth rate when compared     to ‘T915’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1502’ are similar to the     pollen parent, Vanda ‘370MK’, in most horticultural characteristics.     However ‘SPCDW1502’ differs from the pollen parent in the following     characteristics: 1. ‘SPCDW1502’ exhibits narrower foliage than     ‘370MK’. 2. The inflorescence of ‘SPCDW1502’ is taller than the     inflorescence of ‘370MK’. 3. ‘SPCDW1502’ is more free-flowering than     ‘370MK’. 4. The flower color of ^(.)‘SPCDW1502’ is darker blue     compared to the flower color of ‘370MK’. -   Comparison with the most similar Vanda cultivar known to the     inventor: A comparison of ‘SPCDW1502’ with the most similar Vanda     cultivar known to the inventor, Vanda ‘Princess Mikasa’ (not     patented), is described in Chart 1.

CHART 1 ‘Princess Characteristic ‘SPCDW1502’ Mikasa’ Average foliage 2.9 cm. 2.3 cm. width Average flower Vertical height is 8.9 cm; Vertical height is 9.3 cm; dimensions diameter is 8.9 cm. diameter is 9.2 cm. General colora- Violet-blue; veined violet. Violet; lower part of tion of petals petal finely dotted when opening violet. Length of label- Lateral lobes 0.9 cm; Lateral lobes 0.6 cm; lum central lobe 2.1 cm. central lobe 1.9 cm. Labellum apices Lateral lobes obtuse; Lateral lobes emarginate; central lobe emarginate. central lobe strongly emarginate. Labellum, color- Upper surface violet-blue Upper surface violet- ation of central with base slightly lighter, blue and slightly lighter lobe when fully violet to violet-blue; lower at the base, violet; lower open surface violet, with lighter surface violet and lighter violet towards the base towards the base. and violet-blue at the apex. Average sepal Dorsal sepal is 4.9 cm Dorsal sepal is 4.6 cm dimensions long and 4.7 cm wide; long and 4.0 cm wide; lateral sepals are 5.2 cm lateral sepals are 4.9 cm long and 5.8 cm wide. long and 4.6 cm wide. General color- Upper surface of lateral All sepals are violet; ation of sepals sepals are greyed-purple veins darker. when opening. and tinged violet-blue with darker violet re- ticulate veining. Upper surface of dorsal sepal is violet-blue with darker violet reticulate veining Lower surfaces of all se- pals is violet to violet-blue. Spur dimen- 0.5 cm long with a 0.8 cm long with a hori- sions and shape horizontal diameter of 0.6 zontal diameter of 0.25 cm and vertical height of cm and vertical height of 0.5 cm; short triangular. 0.5 cm; flattened, narrow triangular. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1502’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 